Cured skins, some i've done and some available to do

[Tyla]

Ive not seen anyone curing skins on here. I have done a few deer and fox skins, they make very nice rugs.

I have also got several sheeps skins that i want to do but im struggling to find time. They are available to swap if anybody fancies a go? I can give a rough guide of how to do it if anyones interested?

Still not got photobucket so no pics im afraid

 

[Retired Member southey]

Heey Tyla, is this thread along the lines of what your doing with the skins? I haven't any experience but reading through any info i can get with a view to trying.

 

[Tyla]

Not quite southey, the skins i've done (mainly deer but fox and rabbit too) i used a curing method rather than tanning. The skins are soaked and scraped, allowed to dry slightly then stretched onto a plastic covered board. They are then treated with a mixture of bicarb and diesel, this dries, is scraped off and repeated after three days and then again if necessary. You end up with a very clean pale skin that can either be worked to make supple or left slightly stiff to use as a rug.

If you fancy giving it a go i have the skins and the bicarb, you'll have to buy your own diesel though!

 

[Eric_Methven]

Not quite southey, the skins i've done (mainly deer but fox and rabbit too) i used a curing method rather than tanning. The skins are soaked and scraped, allowed to dry slightly then stretched onto a plastic covered board. They are then treated with a mixture of bicarb and diesel, this dries, is scraped off and repeated after three days and then again if necessary. You end up with a very clean pale skin that can either be worked to make supple or left slightly stiff to use as a rug.

If you fancy giving it a go i have the skins and the bicarb, you'll have to buy your own diesel though!

Wow! diesel? I've used brains, brains and egg, egg on it's own and egg and soap, but never heard of bicarb and diesel. Is there a book that describes this technique?

Most interested.

Eric

 

[Tyla]

I dont know if theres a book, it was shown to me by a friend whos been doing it for years. He make some really beautiful skins. If i could put pics up i'd show you the ones i've done, his are better though.